Fishing dredge with a mount for an underwater camera and/or video camera

ABSTRACT

A fishing dredge provides a mount for an underwater camera and a shuttle for relieving the pressure on the camera. Conventional fishing dredges include no dedicated means to attach an underwater camera. The fishing dredge herein described adds a hydrodynamic shuttle and a build in mount for an underwater camera, such as a Gopro®, to mount in the center of the fishing dredge. A keel weight can be added to the bottom of the shuttle to keep it from spinning during use.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 61/530,752, filed Sep. 2, 2011, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to fishing equipment and, more particularly, to a fishing dredge having a mount for an underwater camera and/or underwater video camera.

Current fishing dredges do not provide any way to attach an underwater video camera to the center. These conventional fishing dredges cannot take video or photos of fish that are attracted to the bait on the fishing dredge.

As can be seen, there is a need for a fishing dredge that has a mount for attaching an underwater video camera and/or underwater camera

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a fishing dredge comprises a shuttle; a plurality of arms extending from the shuttle; an attachment member disposed on a forward end of the shuttle; a cavity formed in a rear end of the shuttle; and a camera mount disposed inside the cavity.

In another aspect of the present invention, a fishing dredge comprises a shuttle; a plurality of arms extending from and spaced evenly about the shuttle; an anchor bolt disposed through the shuttle near a central front portion thereof; a shackle attached to the anchor bolt; a cavity formed in a rear end of the shuttle; and a camera mount disposed inside the cavity.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a fishing dredge with a camera mounted therein according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the fishing dredge of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the fishing dredge of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the fishing dredge of FIG. 1 with a camera removed;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a fishing dredge that provides a mount for an underwater camera and a shuttle for relieving the pressure on the camera. Conventional fishing dredges include no dedicated means to attach an underwater camera. The fishing dredge herein described adds a hydrodynamic shuttle and a build in mount for an underwater camera, such as a Gopro®, to mount in the center of the fishing dredge. A keel weight can be added to the bottom of the shuttle to keep it from spinning during use.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 6, a shuttle 10 of a fishing dredge can have an anchor bolt 12 attached to a central region of a top side thereof. A washer 30 can be disposed on one end of the anchor bolt 12 where it passes through the shuttle 10. A shackle 14 can be attached to the anchor bolt 12 with a shackle pin 16. A fishing line, rope or cord (not shown) can be attached to the shackle 14, typically with a swivel, for example.

A plurality of rods 18 can extend from rod sleeves 20. The rod sleeves 20 can be attached about a periphery of the shuttle 10. Typically, from about 4 to about 10 rods 18 can extend from the shuttle 10. The arms 18 can be of various lengths, typically from about 4 inches to about 20 inches long. The arms 18 can be used to hold bait for fish. Typically, the arms 18 are spaced apart equally about the shuttle 10.

The shuttle 10 can include a cavity 26 accessible from a back side thereof, opposite the anchor bolt 12. The cavity 26 can be used to hold a camera 28 therewithin. The cavity 26 is typically a circular cavity having a diameter from about 3 inches to about 8 inches. The size of the cavity 26 can vary to fit various sizes of cameras 28.

A bracket mount 22 can attach to a bracket surface 24 attached inside the cavity 26. The bracket mount 22 can be designed to support the camera 28. In some embodiments, a bracket mount bolt 32 and a bracket mount nut 34 can be used to attach the camera 28 to the bracket mount 22. Of course, other methods can be used to attach the camera 28 to the inside of the cavity 26 of the shuttle 10 of the fishing dredge.

The shuttle 10 can be made from various materials by conventional methods. For example, the shuttle 10 can be made of wood turned on a lathe, or can be made of plastic formed by injection molding, or the like. The shuttle 10 can be tapered as shown in FIG. 5. This tapered design can help pull the shuttle 10 through the water.

The fishing dredge of the present invention can be used in the water to troll at varying speeds to attract fish and get video of the fish eating the bait.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

1. A fishing dredge comprising: a shuttle; a plurality of arms extending from the shuttle; an attachment member disposed on a forward end of the shuttle; a cavity formed in a rear end of the shuttle; and a camera mount disposed inside the cavity.
 2. The fishing dredge of claim 1, wherein the plurality of arms are spaced apart evenly about the shuttle.
 3. The fishing dredge of claim 2, further comprising from about 4 to about 10 arms.
 4. The fishing dredge of claim 1, further comprising an anchor bolt disposed through the shuttle.
 5. The fishing dredge of claim 4, further comprising a shackle attached to the anchor bolt, the shackle forming the attachment member for attaching a fishing line thereto.
 6. The fishing dredge of claim 1, further comprising a bracket mount surface formed inside the cavity, the bracket mount surface supporting the camera mount.
 7. The fishing dredge of claim 1, further comprising a bracket mount bolt and a bracket mount nut securing the bracket mount bolt, the bracket mount bolt operable to secure the camera to the camera mount.
 8. A fishing dredge comprising: a shuttle; a plurality of arms extending from and spaced evenly about the shuttle; an anchor bolt disposed through the shuttle near a central front portion thereof; a shackle attached to the anchor bolt; a cavity formed in a rear end of the shuttle; and a camera mount disposed inside the cavity.
 9. The fishing dredge of claim 8, further comprising a bracket mount surface formed inside the cavity, the bracket mount surface supporting the camera mount.
 10. The fishing dredge of claim 9, further comprising a bracket mount bolt and a bracket mount nut securing the bracket mount bolt, the bracket mount bolt operable to secure the camera to the camera mount. 